As they compete across the province and other parts of the country, York Lions student-athletes are some of the most visible and passionate members of the York community – but as with any student, they often rely on financial assistance to ensure they can be successful both on and off the field.
More than $111,000 in financial support for York’s student-athletes was raised at the 15th Annual 407 ETR-York University Lions Cup Golf Tournament, which took place on Sept. 25. With this year’s contributions, the tournament has now has raised more than $5 million in student support since its inception, helping nearly 350 outstanding students. The event was hosted at the Lionhead Golf & Country Club in Brampton, Ont. which is owned by KaneffGolf under the leadership of long-time York supporter Ignat Kaneff.
Guy Burry
At the helm of the Lions Cup are co-chairs Greg Stack (BA Spec. Hons ’81) and Guy Burry (BA ’82), an honourary member of York’s Board of Governors and former chair of the York University Alumni Association Board. The tournament began in 2001 as the Chair’s Cup. Marshall Cohen, then chair of the York University Board of Governors, and his wife, Judi, envisioned creating a “friend-raiser” as well as a fundraiser, to rally the community around a great cause – student financial aid.
“It was a great day of golfing and it means a tremendous amount to our student-athletes and to all of us at York that you came out to support this event,” Burry shared. “Student-athletes are by far York University’s strongest and most passionate ambassadors. By giving back to this important cause, we can ensure that they excel, whether in or out of uniform.”
This year’s tournament welcomed a new title sponsor, 407 ETR, who have proven to be a strong strategic partner of York over the years through their support for graduate students, the Lassonde School of Engineering and now, for student-athletes. As title sponsors for the 2015 Lions Cup Golf Tournament, Kevin Sack, 407 ETR’s director of marketing, communications and government relations, was on-hand to share a few words about why they have chosen to provide such steadfast support to York University.
“Our highway, which is one of the most sophisticated toll highways in the world, has serviced nearly 118 million trips in 2015 so far, making it more important than ever that we listen to what our customer base has to say,” Sack shared. “By and large, they want to see us giving back to education and athletics in the community – and we couldn’t agree more. Supporting York University allows us to combine these priorities in order to provide students and athletes with the resources necessary to be successful and make a tangible impact in their communities.”
York student Mimi Demski
One such student-athlete impacted by the support of the Lions Cup is Mimi Demski, a second-year civil engineering student and varsity athlete on the women’s volleyball team. “I’m honoured to be standing here in front of you on behalf of all the athletes at York. Most of us don’t come from the wealthiest families, we don’t have time to work part-time jobs and some can’t even get OSAP to cooperate. So to many of us, you are that wish we ask for. Your donations, these fundraisers you attend and the support you offer is incredible. You make the impossible, possible.”
As the tournament came to a close and prizes for the top golfers were handed out, Jeff O’Hagan, York’s vice-president advancement, also spoke to the ongoing impact of the Lions Cup towards student success. “I want to express my immense gratitude to both Greg and Guy for their resolute commitment to the Lions Cup. Your leadership, along with the continuing support of the golfers who tee up with us each year, are the driving factors that have led this tournament to raise more than $5 million in support for York students. There is no doubt that we will continue this great success for years to come.”
Photos from the event can be found at http://alumniandfriends.yorku.ca/events-and-programs/the-lions-cup/.
The following is the list of sponsors for the 2015 407 ETR-York University Lions Cup Golf Tournament:
TITLE SPONSOR
407 ETR
PREMIER SPONSOR
TD Insurance Meloche Monnex
BEAT THE PRO SPONSOR
Guy Burry
BEVERAGE CART SPONSOR
Cisco Systems Ltd.
HOLE SPONSORS
Aviva Canada Inc. / Marsh Canada Ltd.
Brown Daniels Associates Inc.
Gryphon International Investment Corporation
Manulife
Mercer
Morguard Investments Limited
Ontario Redimix Ltd., A Division of CRH Canada Group Inc.
Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management Ltd.
Shawneeki Golf Club
TD Asset Management Inc.
Towers Watson
Wedge Capital Management LLP
PIN SUPPORTERS
JCL Concrete Pumping
Mawer Investment Management Ltd.
Westwood Management Corp.